Top 20 Osaka stationery shops for your Japan trip

Stationery businesses flourish in Japans business capital! Osaka stationery stores range from cozy paper stores and journal-friendly cafes to fountain pen specialists and art supply shops, Osaka is full of places where stationery lovers can slow down, browse, and discover something special. This guide introduces 20 Osaka stationery shops worth visiting, - in no particular order - whether you love planners, washi tape, fountain pens, letter writing or any other stationery you could want!

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Postsha · Wakibungu · Emoji · Charkha · Papermessage · Kawachi Art Supplies · Yongadou · The Letter Press · Yanuya · U Arts · Delfonics · Giftionery DELTA · MT Lab. · Nagazawa · Morita Fountain Pen Shop · Compass · Shimojima · Tools · Fukuya · ZenPop

Please check each shop’s official website or social media before visiting, as opening hours, workshops, and stock may change.

Postsha - write a letter looking at utsubo park

Best for: Letter writing, journaling, taking a break, Utsubo Park, gifts · Area: North Utsubo Park · Nearest station: Higobashi or Hommachi

Address: 西区京町堀1-13-2 藤原ビル5F, Osaka 5500003 · Good to know: Limited seats for writing

You may find yourself wondering if you’re still in Japan when you step into Postsha, with its retro European aesthetic and interior decor. The shop has a playful creative feel with an owner who loves decorating the place to the season. You’ll find a curated selection of stationery designed to make you want to write.

What makes Postsha special?

There are many Zakka in Osaka; variety-goods stores with unique themes. But only Postsha has a creative space on the second floor next to a big window facing Utsubo Park. It’s a beautiful view where you can sit and write letters while being inspired by the seasons. This is also where workshops are held for various things like crafts and they often have exhibitions for small artists that look for a place to display their work.

Wakibungu - Journal in a shopping arcade

Best for: Journal, planner, travelers · Area: Noda · Nearest station: Noda Hanshin, Tamagawa or Ebie

Address: 2 Chome-10-24 Yoshino, Fukushima Ward, Osaka, 553-0006 · Good to know: Limited opening hours

Take in Osaka’s urban atmosphere in a traditional Shotengai (indoor shopping street) near Noda ward and you may find yourself stumbling upon Wakibungu. The store is in a renovated 100 year old house, with a big graphic on the window reading “Join us, Stationery-Holic” (that’s you). It may look small, but it’s surprisingly deep, with high quality stationery and 2 floors and even a cafe/journal space.

The stock and atmosphere is classical and sophisticated with a playful touch.

What makes Wakibungu special?

Many of the small to medium size stationery stores tend to lack variety outside their own wheelhouse, but Wakibungu manages to hold an impressive range of playful but fashionable tools from over 100 brands(!!) like Beauty Hall, Pilot, Nichiban etc. They’re largely focused on planners and journals as they themselves are the creators behind the JS Diary. This PU leather bound planner comes in many playful colors and uses Oji paper. It's designed to be personalized and you can be sure you’ll find the right tools for the job here. Oh, and be aware the opening hours are a bit limited, they’re open Wednesday to Saturday from 1:30 - 5:30.

Emoji - Paper heaven

Best for: Paper, notebooks, writing · Area: Karahori Shotengai · Nearest station: Tanimachi 6-chome

Address: 6 Chome-4-24 Tanimachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0012 · Good to know: Opens from noon

Tradition and innovation meets at Emoji, Osaka’s little piece of paper heaven. Here original paper products of many types can be found. Naturally they have letters, notebooks and boxes, but also string paper, ornaments and goshuincho. The building is an over 100-year-old renovated house at the corner of a traditional shopping arcade. Despite the bustling life outside its doors, inside feels calm and traditional, a place for new ideas, like a blank piece of paper.

What makes Emoji special?

The owner takes paper very seriously and wants to convey the greatness of paper that can often be lost on people who only encounter copy paper on a daily basis. They are eager to find the right feeling for the communication you want to achieve, through the medium of paper. There are plenty of textures, thicknesses, and designs to choose from, you may even be able to request custom paper for your project. One of our favorite items are their “canned paper” boxes.

Charkha - eastern Europe meets Japanese stationery

Best for: Gifts, taking a break, tea, east Europe, writing · Area: Tanimachi 6-chome · Nearest station: Tanimachi 6-chome

Address: 1 Chome-5-23 Kawarayamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0066 · Good to know: Limited opening hours

The big plants, the wooden beams, it all comes together for a cosy and airy feeling that greets you when entering this cafe/variety store. The next thing you notice is the nice lady staffing the cafe, and the many eastern European crafts, jewelry and Japanese stationery. The place is made to replicate a Hungarian/Czech home and is surprisingly big. If you enjoy a mystical euro-aesthetic, this is the shop for you. Oh, and the tea is also excellent!

What makes Charkha special?

The stationery selection here is noteworthy for its classical high quality appeal with glass and fountain pens as well as unique stamps and paper you can’t find elsewhere. Japan tends to have its own interpretation of other cultures so it can be very interesting to visit even if you are from Eastern Europe to experience how your culture is viewed here. They also hold cooking classes, hold exhibitions for local artists and have a bookshelf of 100 translated books on Eastern Europe folklore you can read while enjoying a beverage in the cafe area.

Papermessage - Card carrying creative

Best for: Cards, letters, decor, creative projects · Area: Tenmabashi/Nakanoshima · Nearest station: Tenmabashi or Osaka Tenmangu

Address: 〒530-0043 Osaka, Kita Ward, Tenma, 3 Chome−1−3 ユニハイム天満ビル · Good to know: Entrance is a little hard to spot from the street

A paper store that specializes in cards and is the number one stop for all forms of unique paper. Its heritage as a creative project, started by Kochi in 2009 is clear in the many designs and all the love put into the decor. Many daily objects here appear mundane until you realize it’s made of paper. The many animal and floral designs are sure to bring a smile to your face =)

What makes Papermessage special?

Why not bring that smile to someone else's face? As the shop name implies, their specialty is cards, or rather sending a message with paper. All paper designs are on sale, like cherry blossom branches, potted flowers, cookie memos, and 3D animal boxes.

Here you can also make your personal notebook with many designs and craft elements. They also have other paper products like washi tape, stickers and memo paper. If you want to send a message, this is the store for you!

Kawachi art supplies - Stationery island in a sea of people

Best for: Artists, travelers, shoppers, creatives · Area: Shinsaibashi · Nearest station: Shinsaibashi or Nagahoribashi

Address: 〒542-0083 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Higashishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−18−24 X-City Shinsaibashi, 2F · Good to know: Second floor of X-City building

This casual art Oasis in the heart of Osaka is a fantastic place to escape the river of people that is Dotonbori. The interior is surprisingly big, with a full workshop and exhibit area, and art supplies for every type of creative, be it a journaling diva or an avant-garde artist. Despite the dense item-per-square-meter, the store feels very human-friendly and modern.

What makes Kawachi art supplies special?

Many art supply stores can feel a bit high and mighty, but Kawachi walks that tightrope well by stocking products that land in most camps that have an interest in the creative crafts while keeping a reasonable price point for high-quality products. It’s the type of store that may awaken your curiosity for other fields of art. One moment you may be looking at their CMYK board selection of crayons or collection of EMOT markers, and before you know it you’re playing with model hands and browsing canvases.

They also have a Umeda location which is a bit smaller but a great alternative if you are in the northern part of town.

Yongadou - Stationery the Showa way

Best for: Art, apparel, retro, chiyogami, Showa aesthetics · Area: Tenmabashi · Nearest station: Tenmabashi or Osaka Tenmangu

Address: 〒530-0043 Osaka, Kita Ward, Tenma, 3 Chome−4−5 タツタビル 1F · Good to know: Not easy to find on Google Maps

What started as an antique wholesale business in 2006 is today a well kept paper treasure! For the uninitiated, this place may seem unapproachable, hidden in the side streets of Tenmabashi where the old school Osaka atmosphere remains thick, fronted with Showa era artefacts that stand between you and the wall of original printed paper, adorned with world renowned kimono and chiyogami patterns.

What makes Yonagadou special?

The ancient prints have been given new life through high quality paper, cloth stickers, washi tape memo rolls, making this a portal between the old and the new existing between time, much like how information is stored in a book. You will also find this store hosts artists and creatives and does events from time to time. The location should not be understated as many travelers skip Tenmabashi for its rougher native atmosphere, but if you are open to experience a rawer Osaka, then the river, nearby theater and shopping street is a fantastic destination, bring your camera!

The letter press - Become a paper craftsperson

Best for: Experience, paper, unique items, history, print · Area: Seiiku / Joto Ward · Nearest station: Noe or Noeuchindai

Address: 3 Chome-5-16 Seiiku, Joto Ward, Osaka, 536-0007 · Good to know: Limited opening hours

Just as the name implies, this is a place for printing! More experience than just shop, here you can experience hand printing your own paper, making your own notebook and more. The shop dates back to 1968 with a single hand operated printing machine, and these devices are still in use. Their mission is to reconnect manufacturing with joy and surprise of handicraft and tactility.

What makes “the letter press” special?

As you are one step removed from making the actual paper, the customizability and personalisation you can achieve here is unmatched, with staff that have graphic design background and manufacturing experience. Make your own notebook or buy their wonderfully unique items like paper confectionary chocolate and the uncanny cheese paper!

“The colors fade, the corners get bent and the appearance of torn paper evokes feelings of nostalgia” This sensation perfectly describes what you have in store. Print, Bind, Play!

Yanuya - The goods, the band and the budgie

Best for: Travel, aesthetics, unique stationery · Area: Higashi Mikuni · Nearest station: Shin Osaka

Address: 1 Chome-9-8 Miyahara, Yodogawa Ward, 大阪市淀川区 Osaka 532-0003 · Good to know: Small store space

Osaka is known for being a unique place with unique people, and this mysterious little stationery shop is a great reflection of this. The owner is part of a three man music group, has a cute budgie as a mascot and wears a wrestling mask in his photo on the website. The stationery selection is equally unique, though you will find classic high quality basics like the Qroquis sketchbook for example.

What makes Yanuya special?

This is the store for those looking for a curated selection of the weird and wonderful. The aesthetic is a specific kind of 80’s psychedelic rock band vibe except it’s stationery. If the owner knew how to cook, this would probably be a specialty restaurant, which in fact, they did experiment with. It’s unknown whether you’ll leave with many purchases, but it’s certain you’ll exit one experience richer.

U arts - More like U Cats!

Best for: Cat stationery, cat lovers · Area: Namba · Nearest station: Namba Station

Address: 〒542-0075 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nanbasennichimae, 9−12 2F · Good to know: Location is in side streets

Essential visit for every cat stationery lover. Conveniently located in the center of traditional shopping, near knife and kitchen goods shops in the center of Osaka. The store expertly sources an unmatched cat themed selection in a surprisingly big store. There are of course other types of stationery but everything is meticulously curated and placed that gives the store a comfy atmosphere that shapes its identity.

What makes U Arts special?

Besides all the amazing curation, large selection and convenient location, it truly is the dedication to cats that makes this shop stand out. You’ll find all kinds of stationery with cat motifs, artist collaborations, and hard to source niche brands. They also happen to trade in picture frames and wall mirrors, though this may be less relevant for a traveler.

Delfonics - Contemporary Art of planners

Best for: Art collab, high end tools, designer, Rollbahn · Area: Nakanoshima · Nearest station: Watanabebashi or Higobashi

Address: 〒530-0005 Osaka, Kita Ward, Nakanoshima, 2 Chome−3−18 FESTIVAL TOWER, 1F · Good to know: Located inside the Festival Tower building

The brand philosophy of “ convey stationery and stationery stores as a culture” is made material in the Osaka flagship store. The way the special edition Rollbahn planners are displayed as if you were visiting the gift shop in a contemporary art museum, adds a lofty air to this accessible hobby. Located in Nakanoshima close to actual museums, make for a must visit if you are a high culture stationery lover.

What makes Delfonics special?

Thanks to excellent curation and a stylized display, Delfonics original products really shine here. Unlike a museum gift shop, the selection is neither limited nor does it disappoint. It has everything from inks, fountain pens, planners, notebooks, washi tape, clips, holders, and even leather bags made specifically for stationery enjoyers.

Giftionery DELTA - It's the curation that counts

Best for: Gifts, bundles, high end tools, fountain pens, planners · Area: Umeda · Nearest station: Kita-Shinchi or Oebashi

Address: 1 Chome-6-20 Dojima, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0003 · Good to know: Located inside Dojima Avanza building

This select shop is centered around mid to high range stationery and brands, and has a strong emphasis on stationeries expression and style. As the name implies, this is a great place to find gifts, as the store makes an effort to stock collectors, seasonal edition items, and set items that make for all in one gifts any stationery aficionado would fawn over.

What makes Giftionery DELTA special?

If the bustle of the Umeda area gets too dizzying, then this shop makes for a great retreat as it is within walking distance from Osaka station, yet outside of the crowded areas. Other than the great gifting potential thanks to stock and presentation of the products, the prices are reasonable, they feature a surprising amount of specialty and limited inks for fountain pens, and a little cafe to take a break before heading back out to reality.

MT Lab. - The source of all washi tape

Best for: Washi tape, masking tape, abundance · Area: Nakatsu · Nearest station: Nakatsu

Address: 3 Chome-6-21 Nakatsu, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-0071 · Good to know: Store is small

Did you know MT invented washi tape as we know it? The parent company sells industrial tape, and was inspired by artists using it for decor - and the rest is history. MT stands for Masking Tape and naturally their showroom is a heaven for stationery enthusiasts. The small studio room is literally filled wall to wall with decorative masking tape in what looks like a CMYK gradient palette come to life. The location may be small, but you can spend hours here, not unlike how a small decorative tape can be the source of much amusement.

What makes MT Lab. special?

This is both a showroom and a store, so not only do you get a one-stop-shop for all your washi needs, you also get to see types of MT products often reserved for specialty stores, like the MT room decor large tape rolls and on occasion, even experimental products not yet released to the public.

Nagazawa - Where the aficionados come to roost

Best for: Fountain pens, high end tools, ink · Area: Umeda · Nearest station: Nakazakicho or Hankyu Osaka

Address: MARUZEN & Junkudo Umeda, 2F, 7-20 Chayamachi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0013 · Good to know: Located on the second floor of MARUZEN & Junkudo

A specialty store for high end stationery connoisseurs with a large selection. Here you’ll find glass pens, fountain pens, even typewriters from all the top brands like Lamy, Pilot, Mont Blanc, Platinum, Namiki and many more including Nagazawa originals. The treasures are all organized by brand, presented in glass cases, but most are available to test by asking the staff. You can even test out various inks and nibs too!

What makes Nagazawa special?

As high end as the product line is, the store is remarkably approachable. You can sense that this is a place for the specially interested, and not a boutique solely for the wealthy to throw around their weight (Though you absolutely can). Even if you cannot afford the top models of urushi coated bodies with the gold nibs or custom artwork, walking around the cases is as in a museum. And what is a museum without a gift shop? There are absolutely more affordable models and accessories like limited notebooks and leather cases to take home as a souvenir.

Morita Fountain Pen Shop - Ollivander Pen shop

Best for: Fountain pens, collectors · Area: Chuo · Nearest station: Kitahama

Address: 2 Chome-2-11 Koraibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0043 · Good to know: Small store space

The name “Morita” may ring familiar if you’ve been in the online forums for fountain pen fanatics in the past 20 years. Long it lived as a secret source of reasonably priced specialty pens that could be shipped overseas, but did you know there’s a physical location too? As the name implies, it stocks a large selection of fountain pens. The Japanese name for fountain pen literally translates to “10 thousand years brush”. While this store is not that old, you’ll find goods that feel as though they may last that long.

What makes the Morita fountain pen shop special?

Did you watch Harry Potter in your youth and dreamt of entering the Ollivander Wand shop to have the right wand select you? Well this is that sort of experience, except for a slightly smaller retail space. Take your time browsing the magic of a selection curated by a native expert in the field and perhaps walk out with a companion for life.

Compass - Follow the bargain

Best for: Discount, budget shopping, souvenirs · Area: Tsurumi · Nearest station: Imafuku Tsurumi

Address: 〒536-0002 Osaka, Joto Ward, Imafukuhigashi, 1 Chome−10−5 イズミヤ今福ファミリータウン 2階 · Good to know: Second floor Izumiya building, a bit far out

Compass is a discount outlet shop for stationery and some home/organisational items such as binders, lunchboxes and mugs. At first glance the store stands out on this list as a bit unrefined, but rather than focus on the lack of presentation, direct your eyes towards the numerous SALE signs! This is a place where all year round you’ll find discounts and amazingly affordable deals on all your favorite stationery. Some may be last year's models, but if you’re shopping for value, bring a big bag.

What makes the Compass special?

Despite unappealing shelves, and a myriad of bargain bin type racks, the store is far from unorganized. On the contrary, everything is neatly organized in categories and by item type for easy viewing. The selection is large and they stock character goods along top stationery brands items. They have several locations often located near other bargain stores, in neighborhoods a bit out in the suburbs so don’t expect to stumble upon one on the way to Osaka castle.

Shimojima - A store you wish you had at home

Best for: Variety, discounts, budget shopping · Area: Shinsaibashi · Nearest station: Honmachi or Shinsaibashi

Address: 〒541-0057 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Kitakyuhojimachi, 3 Chome−3−8 本町南 シモジマ ビル · Good to know: Not primarily a stationery store

This is the second home of any crafty individual who wants to save on their projects and events. This outlet/bulk purchase store is not specialized on the topic, but has a surprisingly large selection of stationery, at very good prices. Beloved by party planners, businesses, parents and savers alike you’re bound to find some fantastic deals.

What makes the Shimojima special?

Aside from the unbelievable selection of.. anything, they are beloved for stationery enthusiasts who want to buy the good stuff but don’t want to pay LOFT prices. The location in the heart of Osaka is great if you’re looking for a bargain a bit closer to your hotel. Additionally they have supplies for pretty much any activity so don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to get other things too. Just don’t lose track on time, it’s a large space with lots of distractions.

Tools - For designers and doodlers

Best for: Art supplies, notebooks, visual arts · Area: Umeda · Nearest station: Hankyu Umeda or Umeda Station

Address: 〒530-0013 Osaka, Kita Ward, Chayamachi, 1 Chome−1 梅田地下街 大阪市北区茶屋町梅田地下街１−４ ホワイティうめだ・プチシャンエリア · Good to know: Located in B1 Whity underground mall

This shop is more geared towards illustrators and artists than those looking exclusively for journal supplies, yet steers away from getting too nerdy with brushes and high end supplies so that anyone who enjoys doodling and drawing will find something here. They’re proud of their large selection of copic markers, and classic quality brands for sketchbooks and accessories.

What makes Tools special?

While the store is on the smaller side, they make a lot out of it by regularly doing events like their signature Notebook DIG where they present notebooks similar to LP’s in a music store and have people “dig” for their favorite new paper. They make sure to include many different types of paper and designs and mark down the price during the event. It’s located in the Whity underground mall in Umeda so make sure you find the right entrance, as Umeda can be a labyrinth for a fresh face.

Fukuya - The salaryman stationery shop

Best for: Discounted goods, budget shopping, office stationery · Area: Tenma · Nearest station: Osaka Tenmangu

Address: 2 Chome-9-4 Higashitenma, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0044 · Good to know: There are multiple locations

This chain of basic office stationery is where you go for an authentic Osaka office stationery experience. The store’s visual design looks almost concocted in a digital spreadsheet and the tools look like the predecessor of such software. Expect precise, practical and discounted equipment for a bygone era that some Japanese companies still cling to.

What makes Fukuya special?

Look, you go here for cheap yet quality practical supplies. For a traveler for stationery there are better options for designs and special interests. But for practicality and perhaps certain niches, it’s hard to beat a store that dabbles in classic functional product lines. You may even find items you didn’t realize you may want as they stock quite differently from Tokyu Hands or Itoya.

ZenPop - One box closer to Japan

Best for: Otona-kawaii, subscriptions, unique brands, overseas shipping · Area: Chuo · Nearest station: Sakaisuji Honmachi

Address: Osaka Sakaisuji L Tower, 10F, 1 Chome-7-7 Kawaramachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0048 · Good to know: No physical outlet, visit us online unless you have a prior arrangement

That’s right, we’re located in Osaka! Now, that said, this is a bit of a cheat as we don’t actually have a physical store, and you can’t visit us unless you’ve organized with the ZenPop team via mail. But we’re here nonetheless and are happy to provide you stationery both before and after your Japan trip!

What makes ZenPop special?

For 10 years, ZenPop has created themed monthly subscription boxes of Japanese stationery, making their (our) curation top of the line. This is also reflected in their (our) online store which places heavy emphasis on otona-kawaii aesthetics, mixed with innovative and practical tools that are hard to find elsewhere.